Theme Breaks Monotony

HINTS FROM HELOISE Syndicated Columnist

April 29, 1994

Dear Heloise: To break the monotony and boredom of housework, I follow a "clean theme."Each day there's a different theme. One day may be window day, which means I clean all the windows in the house. Some of the other themes I use are pictures, cupboards, walls, dust, floors, closets, gardening, mowing and cleaning the car. I'm never in one place long enough to be bored and it always looks like I've accomplished something. - Daughn McNeil, Fredericksburg, Va.

Dear Heloise: I have a hint I think would be good for people who take pictures of family gatherings, parties or scenery. When I get the pictures back from the developer, I put the number of the negative on the back of each one, so when other people look at them and would like a copy, I know the number of the negative. The pictures will be in order, too. - Howard Van Ek, Wyoming, Mich.

Dear Heloise: Mom's hint: Keep a clean paintbrush for dusting lampshades. I also keep a separate paintbrush to dust my baseboards before vacuuming. - Janet Brown, Springdale, Ark Dear Heloise: During the holidays there's never enough counter space. We put a plastic tablecloth over the ironing board and have an instant shelf for desserts. Through the year, I open the board on grocery days. It holds several bags and there's no stooping necessary to empty them. - Norma Jean Cobb, San Antonio, Texas

Dear Heloise: Almost everyone knows to separate lightand dark-colored wash. Something I noticed in washing at a laundromat was that most people, particularly the men, take lumps of washed items and toss them in the dryer. If they shook each piece before putting into the dryer, there would be fewer wrinkles and less ironing. - Deb Boyd, Houston, Texas

Dear Heloise: I clean an empty plastic peanut-butter jar and lid and make a hole the size of a straw in the middle of the lid. I then insert a straw, put my granddaughter's drink in the jar and we don't have to worry about spills. - Ann Robertson, New Market, Va.

Dear Heloise: To mince a peeled hard-boiled egg, place the egg in the center of a clean, 10-inch to 12-inch nylon net. Pull the netting up over the egg and push the egg down through the netting. This is great for egg salad. - Iva Long, Stuarts Draft, Va.